Internal combustion engine cooling system



July 21, 1931. w. H. CLEGG 1,815,240

INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM Filed Jan. 12, 1928 ATTORNEYPatented July 21 1931 UNETED STATES WILLIAM HENRY CLEGG, OFPHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE COOLING SYSTEMApplication filed January 12, 1928. Serial No. 246,274.

This invention relates to means for cooling an internal combustionengine independently of external atmospheric conditions, and to maintainthe motor at an operating temperature to insure maximum efliciency underall, circumstances.

In carrying out my invention I comprehend the use of a volatile coolingagent normally contained in a supply tank or reservoir, andautomatically admitted to the engine jacket of the engine when thetemperature of the latter rises to a degree to warrant cooling ofv thesame, the cooling agent circulating through the engine .jacket toaccomplish this 5 end, and finally circulating through a tubular Isystem arranged exteriorly of the motor and in which the cooling agentis condensed and subsequently returned to the reservoir.

In accordance with the present invention I preferably employ athermostatically actu-' through which the partially liquor vapor passesand is condensed prior to its return to the supply reservoir.

Another-important object of the invention resides in the use of acompressor appropriately located in the tubular system between thecondenser and reservoir, and which compressor operates to maintain aproper pressure of the cooling agent through the system. 1

Other objects and advantages will appear from the following detaildescription when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, theinvention residing in the construction, combination and arrangement ofparts as claimed.

In the drawings forming part of this application like numerals ofreference indicate similar parts in the several views and wherem:

Figure 1 is a View partly in section showing how the invention isassociated with the engine jacket of an internal combustion engme.

Figure 2 is a view taken at a right angle to Figure 1 showing thecondenser.

Referring to the drawings in detail 10 represents the usual jacket of aninternal combustion engine, while projecting forwardly therefrom is asupporting bar 11 from which depends a similar bar 12. A fan 13 issupported at the forward end of the bar 11 and is operated from themotor driven shaft 14 through the instrumentality of an endless belt 15passing over suitable pulleys clearly illustrated in the drawings.

The apparatus forming the subject matter of the present inventionincludes what is termed a. tubular system through which a volatilecooling agent is adapted to circulate, the parallel branches 16 and 17of said system communicating with the engine jacket 10 as illustrated.This system is constructed of tubing of any desired diameter, and thebranches 16 and 17 are connected by a coil 18 constituting a condenser,the coil being arranged directly in advance of the fan 13. A supply tankor reservoir 19 is located immediately in advance of the engine and hasits lower end opening into the adjacent branch 16 of the tubular system.This reservoir is adapted to contain a volatile cooling agent which isconveyed into the jacket 10- of the engine through the outlet end of thebranch 16 of said tubular system, this outlet end being restricted toadmit the cooling agent into the engine jacket in the form of a sprayand allow the agent to immediately expand. The admission of the coolingagent from the reservoir 19 into the jacket 10 is automaticallycontrolled, and regulated by the temperature of the motor.

For this purpose I employ a valve 20 which controls communicationbetween the reservoir 19 and the jacket 10, the valve being actuated bya thermostat 21. Thevalve is normally closed, and when the temperatureof the motor rises to an extent to necessitate cooling of the latter,the thermostat 21 functions to automatically open the valve 20 and thusallow a quantity of the cooling agent to Hill system passing from thebranch 17 through the coil 18, and as the latter is arranged directly inadvance of the fan 13, the coil serves as a condenser,- the coolingagent 'finally passing from the coil 18 into the branch 16.

As clearly illustrated in the drawings I con-- template the use of acompressor located at a point between the condenser coil 18 and thereservoir 19, the cylinder of said compressor being indicated at 23 andthe piston therefor at 24. The piston is actuated by a cam 25 from themotor operated shaft 14, and communication between the branch 16 and thecompressor on the side of the condenser is controlled by a valve 26. Thecompressor operates to maintain a proper pressure through the tubularsystem, it being readily apparent that it draws the cooling agent fromthe condenser coil 18 into. the cylinder 23 in which the cooling agentis compressed and subsequently forced into a the reservoir 19 pressure.A valve 27 controls the communication between the compressor 23 and thereservoir 19. In this manner the vapor is condensed and the reservoir 19again supplied with a cooling volatile liquid for further use. Risingfrom the reservoir 19 is a pipe 28 whic pens into the branch 17 of thetubular s stem, and in which pipe is arranged a suitable valve 29, thelatter opening at a predetermined pressure within the reservoir topermit an excess of liquid to flow or pass into the tubular system. Byreason of the construction and contemplated operation hereinabovedescribed, it is manifest that I have devised a means for cooling aninternal combustion engine or the like in a manner to preventoverheating of the motor, and to insure a proper working temperature ofthe same to permit maximum efficiency.

While it is believed that from the foregoing description the nature andadvantages of the invention will be readily understood, I desire to haveit known that I do not limit myself to what is herein illustrated anddescribed, and that such changes may be resorted to when desired as fallwithin the scope of what is claimed.

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for cooling an internal combustion engine, including apair of spaced upper and lower parallel pipes connected with the jacketof the engine, a vertically disposed meservoir supported between saidpipes and adapted to contain a volatile cooling agent, athermostatically operated valve connecting one side of the reservoirwith the jacket and controlling the admission of the cooli ng agent fromthe reservoir into said jacket,'a condenser supported by andcommu'nicating with the forward ends of said pipes, and through whichthe cooling agent passes as it circulates from the acket on its returnto the reservoir, a compressor arranged in the length of the lowermostpipe and supported by the other side of the reservoir, whereby thecooling agent is drawn from the condenser and transferred back to thereservoir, a valve controlling communication between the condenser andcompressor, a vertical pipe establishing communication between the upperend of the reservoir and the other of said parallel pipes to take careof excess pressure within the reservoir, and a valve controllingcommunication between the upper end of the reservoir and the lastmentioned parallel pipe.

2. An apparatus for cooling an internal combustion engine comprising apair of spaced upper and lower parallel pipes terminally connected withthe jacket of the engine at spaced points, a vertically disposed coilhaving horizontally arranged convolutions connecting the correspondingforward extremities of said pipes and constituting a condenser, areservoir supported between said pipes and communicating therewith fromthe opposite ends thereof, and adapted to contain a volatile coolingagent, a thermostatically operated valve arranged at one side of thereservoir and controlling the admission of the cooling agent from thelatter into said "jacket, a compressor located at the opposite side ofthe reservoir and establishing communication therebetween and thelowermost of said parallel pipes, a valve controlling communicationbetween the pipe and said compressor, a valve controlling communicationbetween the compressor and saidreservoir, and a vertically disposed piperising from the upper end of the reservoir and having valve controlledcommunication with said uppermost parallel pipe to take care of excesspressurewithin the reservoir.

' WILLIAM HENRY CLEGGM local

